Digital camera dock having movable guide pins

ABSTRACT

Use of a custom insert is obviated when a digital camera is attached to a base (dock). Two movable pins are provided, in such a way that a connector is sandwiched between the movable pins, on a digital camera attachment surface of a base (dock) which provides a digital camera with a recharging function and a printing function. The movable pins fit to holes in a bottom of the digital camera to thus act as guides during the course of attachment of the digital camera. Alternatively, the attachment surface itself may be configured so as to be vertically movable, and the attachment surface may descend during attachment of the digital camera and the attachment surface may be latched in a lower position after attachment of the same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 11/566,251 filed Dec. 4,2006 now abandoned which claims the benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2006-126571 filed on Apr. 28, 2006, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digital camera dock, and moreparticularly, to a dock which is electrically connected to a digitalcamera to thus provide the digital camera with various functions, suchas a recharging function, a printing function, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A digital camera dock (hereinafter simply referred to as a “dock”) whichis connected to a digital camera and provides the digital camera with arecharging function and a printing function has hitherto been developed.For instance, the recharging dock supplies recharging power to thedigital camera through use of an a.c. power source. A recharged state ofa built-in battery of the digital camera is displayed on an indicator ofthe digital camera or an indicator of the dock. The user can rechargethe digital camera by means of simply attaching the digital camera tothe recharging dock. The recharging dock may also have a file transferfunction of reading image data stored in memory of the digital cameraand transferring the image data to the memory of a personal computer.The printer dock receives the image data stored in the memory of thedigital camera and outputs the image data while the data are printed ona sheet of photographic paper. By means of simply attaching the digitalcamera to a printer dock, desired image data can be printed withoutinvolvement of a computer. The printer dock may also have the functionof recharging a digital camera.

When the digital camera is attached to the dock, there are many caseswhere a custom insert previously prepared for each digital camera isattached to a dock in order to guide the digital camera duringattachment or to protect the connection with a connector afterattachment of the digital camera.

FIG. 20 shows that the digital camera 10 is attached to a dock 12. Thedock 12 is a printer dock having a print sheet tray 14. A custom insert16 prepared for each digital camera 10 is attached to an upper surfaceof the dock 12; i.e., an attachment surface of the digital camera 10.The digital camera 10 is attached to the dock 12 while the custom insertis taken as a guide. More specifically, the custom insert 16 is attachedto the attachment section of the dock 12, and the digital camera 10 isattached to the custom insert 16.

FIG. 21 shows the configuration of the custom insert 16 and that of thedock 12. The custom insert 16 has a guide wall 16 a complying with theouter shape of the digital camera 10; an opening section 16 b formed inthe guide wall 16 a; and a protuberance section 16 c loosely fittinginto a tripod threaded hole of the digital camera 10. The openingsection 16 b is formed at a position which opposes a connector 12 a ofthe dock 12 when the custom insert 16 is attached to the dock 12. Theconnector 12 a of the dock 12 is inserted into the opening section 16 band becomes exposed outside, to thus enable connection with a connectorof the digital camera 10. Hooks 16 d are provided at the four corners ofthe bottom face of the custom insert 16 and fit into holes 12 b formedin the dock 12, thereby fastening the custom insert 16 to the dock 12.Specifically, when the custom insert 16 is attached to the dock 12, thecustom insert 16 is positioned in the attachment section of the dock 12,thereby fitting the hooks 16 d into the holes 12 b. The hooks 16 d areformed from resin; and are inserted and locked into the holes 12 b as aresult of being deformed during the course of fitting.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 645278 describes aconfiguration for connecting connectors together. One of the connectorsis provided with a guide pin and a spring-tensioned movable pin. Theother connector is provided with a plane contact and a guide hole.

However, in the configuration where a custom insert is provided for eachdigital camera, a guide to be provided on the dock, including the guidesection of the custom insert, must be provided so as to protrude higherthan the connector of the dock, in order to exhibit a function ofguiding a connection with the connector. Imposing restrictions on thedock greatly affect the internal configuration of the digital camera,which in turn hinders miniaturization of the digital camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above drawbacksin the related art, and provides a dock which can obviate a necessityfor a custom insert.

The present invention provides a digital camera dock to which a digitalcamera is to be attached and which has a function of printing an imagecaptured by the digital camera or recharging an internal battery of thedigital camera, the dock comprising:

an attachment surface to which the digital camera is to be attachedbeing supported so as to become vertically movable;

a first holding unit for fixedly holding the attachment surface in afirst, upper position;

a second holding unit for fixedly holding the attachment surface in asecond, lower position; and

a control unit for releasing the first holding unit to thus enablevertical movement of the attachment surface, which in a stable state isfixedly held in the first position by means of the first holding unit,when the digital camera is attached onto the attachment surface, and foractuating the second holding unit to thus fixedly hold the attachmentsurface in the second position when the attachment surface has loweredto thus establish an electrical connection with the digital camera via aconnector.

The present invention also provides a digital camera dock to which adigital camera is to be attached and which has a function of printing animage captured by the digital camera or recharging an internal batteryof the digital camera, the dock comprising:

a connector for establishing an electrical connection with the digitalcamera;

movable pins which are formed in the vicinity of the connector andsupported in an impelled manner so as to be vertically movable; and

an attachment surface to which the digital camera is to be attached andwhich has the connector and the movable pins, wherein

the movable pins project and are impelled upwardly in a stable state,fit to hole sections formed in a bottom of the digital camera duringattachment of the digital camera, and move downwardly along with thedigital camera to thus act as guides for regulating a relative positionbetween the digital camera and the connector.

The present invention obviates a necessity for use of a custom insert,and lessens restrictions on a digital camera.

The invention will be more clearly comprehended by reference to theembodiments provided below. However, the scope of the invention is notlimited to those embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer dock of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state of a movable pin achieved beforeattachment of a digital camera;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved at the timeof attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved afterattachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state of the movable pin when a custom insertis in use;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a printer dock of another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the dock;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state of a movable pin achieved at the timeof attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved afterattachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a printer dock of still anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the dock;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a trigger lever;

FIG. 13 is state descriptive view (Part 1) of the trigger lever achievedat the time of attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 14 is state descriptive view (Part 2) of the trigger lever achievedat the time of attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 15 is state descriptive view (Part 3) of the trigger lever achievedat the time of attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 16 is state descriptive view (Part 4) of the trigger lever achievedat the time of attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 17 is state descriptive view (Part 5) of the trigger lever achievedat the time of attachment of the digital camera;

FIG. 18 is a descriptive view of a dock whose attachment surface istiltable;

FIG. 19 is a descriptive view of a dock whose attachment surface isrotatable;

FIG. 20 is a descriptive view of the digital camera attached to thedock; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a custom insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow byreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a dock for use with a digital cameraaccording to a first embodiment. The printer dock provides the digitalcamera with a recharging function and a printing function.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer dock 12 has a dock-side connector 12 aand holes 12 b into which a custom insert 16 is to be fitted. The reasonwhy the holes 12 b are provided is because a conventional custom insertcan also be made usable in the present embodiment, although the custominsert is not required in the present embodiment. Two movable pins 12 c,12 d are formed in a digital camera attachment section of the printerdock 12 in such a way that the connector 12 a is interposed between thepins 12 c and 12 d. As indicated by arrows in the drawing, the movablepins 12 c and 12 d are elastically supported by springs so as to bevertically movable. The movable pins 12 c, 12 d have differentdiameters, and in the drawing the movable pin 12 c is larger in diameterthan the movable pin 12 d. The movable pins 12 c and 12 d may also bemade equal to each other in terms of a diameter. The movable pins 12 cand 12 d are elastically impelled upwardly in a stable state. A guideline (indicated by a broken line in the drawing) is printed on a digitalcamera attachment surface for facilitating attachment of the digitalcamera and guiding the same. The user attaches the digital camera 10 tothe printer dock 12 along the guide line.

At the time of attachment of the digital camera 10, the two movable pins12 c and 12 d fit into holes formed in the bottom surface of the digitalcamera 10. The movable pins 12 c and 12 d are forcefully insertedagainst resilient force along with attachment of the digital camera 10.Limitations are imposed on longitudinal and lateral movements of themovable pins 12 c and 12 d. Hence, the digital camera 10 is connected tothe connector 12 a while being subjected to longitudinal and lateralpositional restrictions above the printer dock 12.

FIGS. 2 through 4 show the states of the movable pins 12 c and 12 dachieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera 10. FIG. 2shows the state of the digital camera 10 achieved before attachment ofthe same. The movable pins 12 c and 12 d are impelled upwardly by meansof springs inserted into a stepped section. Further, the heights of themovable pins 12 c and 12 d are restricted by means of E rings providedat the bottoms of the movable pins. In addition to the connector 10 a,holes 10 c and 10 d are formed in the digital camera 10, wherein themovable pins 12 c and 12 d are fitted to the bottoms of the respectiveholes 10 c and 10 d. FIG. 3 shows the state of the printer dock when thedigital camera 10 is attached to the dock. At the time of attachment ofthe digital camera 10, the leading ends of the movable pins 12 c and 12d enter the holes 10 c and 10 d formed in the bottom surface of thedigital camera 10. In this state, the user presses the digital camera 10downward. Since the longitudinal, lateral movements of the movable pins12 c and 12 d are restricted, the user depresses the digital camera 10while using the movable pins 12 c and 12 d as guides. Since the movablepins 12 c and 12 d are formed after adjustment of the relativepositional relationship of the movable pins 12 c, 12 d and the connector12 a, the connector 10 a of the digital camera 10 accurately opposes theconnector 12 a of the printer dock 12 as a result of the digital camera10 being pushed while the movable pins 12 c and 12 d are taken as aguide. FIG. 4 shows the state of the printer dock 12 achieved afterattachment of the digital camera 10. The movable pins 12 c, 12 d fitinto the bottom surface of the digital camera 10 by means ofpin-receiving sections 10 e, 10 f provided on the bottom surface of thedigital camera 10. After attachment of the digital camera 10, themovable pins 12 c and 12 d play the role of protecting the connector 12a. A required depth to which the movable pins 12 c and 12 d fit into thebottom surface of the digital camera 10 is determined by the geometry ofthe camera.

As mentioned above, the movable pins 12 c and 12 d are provided on bothsides of the connector 12 a such that the connector 12 a is sandwichedbetween the movable pins. As a result of the digital camera 10 beingattached to the printer dock 12 while the movable pins 12 c and 12 d aretaken as guides, attachment of the custom insert is obviated.

Since some users are accustomed to use of the custom insert 16, theremay also arise a case where use of the custom insert 16 is desired. Evenin such a case, the desire can be addressed by means of setting theextent to which the movable pins 12 c, 12 d sink to a level which doesnot hinder attachment of the custom insert 16. FIG. 5 shows theconfiguration of the printer dock 12 employed when the custom insert 16shown in FIG. 21 is attached to the printer dock 12 and the digitalcamera 10 is additionally attached to the same. The extent to which themovable pins 12 c and 12 d sink has been determined in advance inconsideration of the thickness of the custom insert 16; i.e., the pinssink to such an extent that the connector of the digital camera 10 canbe connected to the dock-side connector 12 a via the custom insert 16.As a result, the custom insert 16 can be attached to the printer dock12, and the digital camera 10 can be connected to the connector 12 a.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the two movable pins 12 c and 12 d areconfigured so as to be movable in only the vertical direction. However,any of the movable pins may also be configured so as to be movable inthe longitudinal or lateral direction as well.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the movable pin 12 d of the movable pins 12 cand 12 d is configured so as to be movable in the lateral direction aswell as in the vertical direction. The movable pin 12 d is impelledupwardly in a stable state by means of a spring, and is impelled towardthe connector 12 a by means of the spring. FIGS. 7 through 9 show thestates of the movable pins 12 c and 12 d achieved at the time ofattachment of the digital camera 10. As indicated by the plan view ofFIG. 7, the movable pins 12 c and 12 d are positioned on both sides ofthe connector 12 a. As shown in FIG. 8, at the time of attachment of thedigital camera 10, the movable pin 12 c enters the hole 10 c formed inthe bottom of the digital camera 10. Meanwhile, the movable pin 12 d isimpelled toward the connector 12 a by means of the spring, and themovable pin 12 d is situated at a position slightly closer to theconnector 12 a than to the hole 10 d. Accordingly, at the time ofattachment of the digital camera 10, the extremity of the movable pin 12d comes into contact with the brim of the hole 10 d. Pursuant todepression of the digital camera 10, the movable pin 12 receives theforce in a direction departing from the connector 12 a, and moves in thedirection departing from the connector 12 a against the restorationforce of the spring. FIG. 9 shows the state of the printer dock 12achieved after attachment of the digital camera 10. As indicated by thearrow in the drawing, the movable pin 12 d is pressed into the hole 10 dso as to move in the direction departing from the connector 12 a.Consequently, the movable pin 12 d is pressed against the side surfaceof the hole 10 d by means of the spring, and the digital camera 10 isheld by means of the pressing force exerted by the movable pin 12 d.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, the digital camera 10 is attachedto the printer dock 12 while the two vertically-movable pins 12 c, 12 dformed in the printer dock 12 are used as guides. However, the movablepins 12 c, 12 d can also be caused to serve as guides which verticallyactuate the attachment surface of the printer dock 12 in place of themovable pins.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration for guiding the digital camera 10 by meansof vertical actuation of the attachment surface. An opening is formed ata position on the attachment surface of the printer dock 12 facing theconnector 12 a, and the connector 12 a is exposed through the opening.Fixing pins 12 e and 12 f are formed on respective sides of the openingof the connector 12 a on the attachment surface. The fixing pins 12 eand 12 f have the minimum height required when serving as guides duringattachment of the digital camera 10. The fixing pins engage with holesformed in the bottom of the digital camera 10, to thus define theattachment position of the digital camera 10 to a certain extent. In astable state, the attachment surface is impelled upwardly by means of aspring and is fixed in an elevated position by means of a latch. Whenthe digital camera 10 is attached to the two fixing pins 12 e and 12 f,a first button 12 g used for releasing the latch that restricts thevertical movement of the attachment surface is depressed by the bottomsurface of the digital camera 10, whereby the latch is released to thusbring the attachment surface into a downwardly-movable state. By meansof downward movement of the attachment surface, the connector 12 abecomes exposed upwardly through the inside of the opening formed in theattachment surface, thereby establishing a connection with the connectorof the digital camera 10.

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the printer dock 12. FIG. 12 shows theconfiguration of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 11. A connectorholder 102 is fastened to a dock case 101 of the printer dock 12 andprovided with the connector 12 a. The dock case 101 is equipped with aslide plate 104 used for vertically actuating a camera support plate201. The slide plate 104 is restricted by four bosses 104 a provided onthe dock case 101 and horizontally actuated in the drawing. The slideplate 104 is impelled in the direction of the arrow in the drawing bymeans of a spring 105. The slide plate 104 operates in synchronism witha latch 106 provided on the dock case 101. The latch 106 undergoesrotational force in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by meansof an unillustrated spring. Four bosses 201 a are provided, two on theright and the other two on the left, on the camera support plate 201that is vertically actuated along with the digital camera 10 on the dockcase 101. The camera support plate 201 is vertically actuated along withvertical grooves 101 a formed in the dock case. The four bosses 201 aare supported by the flat surface of the slide plate 104 and a slopedsection 105 a. When the boss 201 a is supported on the flat surface ofthe slide plate 104, the camera support plate 201 is held in an elevatedfirst position. When the slide plate 104 has moved and the boss 201 a issupported on the sloped surface of the slide plate 104, the boss 201 acan move along the slope; namely, the boss 201 a can move downwardlyalong a vertical groove 101 a. When the boss 201 a has reached thebottom of the vertical groove 101 a, the camera support plate 201 isheld in a lower, second position. A trigger lever 202 is attached to thecamera support plate 201, and actuation of the slide plate 104 iscommenced by means of movement of the bottom of the digital camera 10.Specifically, an attachment-side protuberance of the trigger lever 202is brought into contact with the bottom of the digital camera by meansof pushing action of the digital camera 10. The trigger lever 202 ispivoted around a shaft by means of the pressing force originating fromthe bottom of the digital camera. By means of rotation of the triggerlever 202, the slide plate 104 is actuated in the rightward direction,thereby changing a positional relationship with the bosses 201 a. Thetrigger lever 202 undergoes force in the direction of the arroworiginating from an unillustrated spring.

FIGS. 13 through 17 show operation performed during attachment of thedigital camera 10. First, as shown in FIG. 13, the bosses 201 a of thecamera support plate 201 are supported on the flat surface of the slideplate 104 in a stable state. The camera support plate 201 is situated atan elevated first position. Since the slide plate 104 undergoesrestoration force of the spring 105 in the leftward direction of thedrawing, the camera support plate 201 is held in the first position. Thedigital camera 10 is attached in this state while the fixing pins 12 eand 12 f on the camera support plate 201 are taken as guides.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the digital camera 10 is attached, the bottomof the digital camera 10 comes into contact with the protuberance of thetrigger lever 202 provided on the camera support plate 201, to thusdepress the trigger lever 202. The trigger lever 202 pivots around theshaft provided on the camera support plate 201, and an edge portion 202a of the trigger lever 202 is brought into contact with the slide plate104 by means of rotational movement, whereupon the slide plate 104 ismoved in the rightward direction of the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the digital camera 10 is pushed further, theslide plate 104 is continually moved in the rightward direction by meansof the trigger lever 202. By means of movement of the slide plate 104,the four bosses 201 a formed in the camera support plate 201 are movedto the slope section from the flat surface section on the slide plate104. As a result, the camera support plate 201 can be moved downwardly.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the slide plate 104 is moved rightwardagainst the restoration force of the spring 105 by means of the bosses104 a of the camera support plate 201, by means of operation for furtherpushing the digital camera 10. When pushing of the digital camera 10 isaborted in this state and the digital camera 10 is lifted, the slideplate 104 is restored to the state shown in FIG. 13 by means of thespring 105.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 17, when the digital camera 10 is pushed to apredetermined position, the latch 106 provided on the dock case 101 actsso as to latch the slide plate 104. Thus, the slide plate 104 is locked,and attachment of the digital camera 10 is maintained.

During removal of the digital camera 10, the latch 106 is released bymeans of operating an unillustrated button, whereby the slide plate 104is moved leftward by means of restoration force of the spring 105.Upward movement of the camera support plate 201 is allowed, to thusdisengage the connection of the connector.

As mentioned above, the vertical movement of the camera support plate201 is restricted by the slide plate 104. Downward movement of thecamera support plate 201 is allowed when the digital camera 10 isattached and pushed. When the digital camera 10 has been pushed down toa predetermined position, the slide plate 104 is locked, therebyenabling reliable connection of the connector 10 a of the digital camera10 with the dock-side connector 12 a.

In the present embodiment, the attachment surface of the dock can alsobe made tiltable through only an arbitrary angle as shown in FIG. 18, orrotatable within a horizontal plane through only an arbitrary angle asshown in FIG. 19.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

PARTS LIST

-   10 digital camera-   10 a connector-   10 c hole-   10 d hole-   10 e pin receiving section-   10 f pin receiving section-   12 printer dock-   12 a connector-   12 b hole-   12 c movable pin-   12 d movable pin-   12 e fixing pin-   12 f fixing pin-   12 g first button-   14 print sheet tray-   16 custom insert-   16 a guide wall-   16 b opening section-   16 c protuberance section-   16 d hook-   101 dock case-   101 a vertical groove-   102 connector-   104 slide plate-   104 a boss-   105 spring-   105 a sloped section-   106 latch-   201 camera support plate-   201 a boss-   202 trigger lever-   202 a edge portion

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dock comprising: a connector configuredto establish an electrical connection with an image capture device; twomovable pins located in the vicinity of the connector and supported inan impelled manner, such that the two movable pins are configured tomove vertically; and a surface configured to have the image capturedevice secured thereto the connector and the movable pins, wherein thetwo movable pins project and are impelled upwardly in a stable state,and the two movable pins are configured to fit into hole sections formedin a bottom of the image capture device during docking of the imagecapture device, and the two movable pins are configured to movedownwardly along with the image capture device to thus act as guides forregulating a relative position between the image capture device and theconnector; wherein at least one of the two movable pins is configured tomove both vertically and laterally, which lateral movement holds theimage capture device in the dock by pressing against a side surface of areceiving receptacle of the image capture device independent of a latchand which lateral movement is caused pursuant to depression of the imagecapture device into the dock.
 2. The dock of claim 1, wherein the atleast one of the two movable pins is a cylindrical-shaped pin whichholds the image capture device by a pressing force.
 3. The dock of claim2, wherein the receiving receptacle is a hole in the image capturedevice and the cylindrical-shaped pin exerts the pressing force againsta side surface of the hole.
 4. The dock of claim 1, wherein the at leastone of the two movable pins is configured to move laterally by means ofa spring.
 5. The dock of claim 1, wherein the two movable pins areconfigured to move vertically by means of springs.
 6. A docking stationcomprising: a connector configured to establish an electrical connectionwith an electrical device; two movable pins located in the vicinity ofthe connector and configured to move vertically; and a surfacesurrounding the connector and the movable pins, wherein the two movablepins project and are impelled upwardly from the surface in a stablestate, and wherein the two movable pins are configured to fit to holesections in the electrical device during docking of the electricaldevice, and the two movable pins are configured to move downwardly alongwith the electrical device to thus act as guides for regulating arelative position between the electrical device and the connector;wherein at least one of the two movable pins is configured to move bothvertically and laterally, which lateral movement secures the electricaldevice in the docking station by pressing against a side surface of areceiving receptacle of the electronic device, wherein the lateralmovement is independent of a latch and which lateral movement is causedpursuant to depression of the electrical device into the dockingstation.
 7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the at least one ofthe two movable pins is a cylindrical-shaped pin which secures thedigital camera by a pressing force.
 8. The docking station of claim 6,wherein the receiving receptacle is a hole in the electrical device, andthe cylindrical-shaped pin exerts the pressing force against a sidesurface of the hole.
 9. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the atleast one of the two movable pins is configured to move laterally bymeans of a spring.
 10. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the twomovable pins are configured to move vertically by means of springs.